HAVE THE YEARS TAUGHT THEM HOW TO FORGIVE…AND TO TRUST THEIR HEARTS?
Megann Reilly returns home to Wildwood, Tennessee to help nurse her estranged mother back to health. She’s grateful for her newfound job as an administrative assistant at Wildwood Community Church…until she runs into Colton Kendrick, the bad-boy-wannabe who broke her heart. Colt’s job as Youth Director at the church is a cavernous stretch from his high school days as the town’s privileged rich kid. The death of his sister has left him with a young niece to raise and an unruly puppy to tame. He’s not the self-centered person who once hurt Megann, and all he wants is a chance to prove to her the man he’s become—and to love her.
Is it true that time heals all wounds, or has Colt found Megann…only to lose her again?
my point of view:
This book hits home pretty hard, in so many ways….I have issues with forgiveness in so many ways, and trust, ah, I’m not even going to go there, lol! Where I will go is here – this book was so lovely, and so REAL, I mean it was not all sweet and happy – which there is nothing wrong with those, mind you! But now and then you want a story that you can say, yes, people like these characters are so real, it’s almost painful to read about them! Well, I like to read those kinds of stories sometimes, and maybe you do too! If so, this is the book for you!
I have read many of The Potter’s House series, and have yet to be disappointed. A lot of these books deal with hard hitting issues, and this one is no exception – there are several situations to navigate throughout Proven Love. Abandonment issues, striving for perfect, infidelity – living a life without God as the center, and then there is the issue of substance abuse, not a direct issue for our hero or heroine – mostly in the past of a parent, but it still affects everyone in the present. Many people do not understand what it is like to be raised by an alcoholic and that how can affect every single relationship that person has in the future!
I mean learning to forgive and move on is hard enough, but how do you deal with hurt and betrayal from your own parents? Megann and Colt know they really can’t move forward in any healthy relationship when they have these kinds of issues to deal with….but must it be so difficult? Now, lets mix in the sweetest little girl, a girl who will simply steal your heart! She is the glue that brings all of these characters together and keeps everyone on the right path through Jesus, our Lord! Thank you , Mary Manners, for this amazing heart felt story of brokenness turned to forgiveness through God!
Paula, there’s a lot of depth in your review. As you said, it really hits home. I look forward to reading it.
Mary, as always, wrote a very good book.
As far as ride, oh my goodness, it’s been years since I’ve been to a theme park. That makes it very hard to remember. lol
I’m trying to think when and where. When I was younger it was a ride that, of course, I can’t remember the name of, but it was somewhat like a roller coaster. It would be going along and then it would go down and splash in water. I mainly like the shows at theme parks. ❣️
Thank you for the review
Blessings
Kathy
You are so sweet, Kathy! I truly was blessed reading this story! As for the roller coaster – I can tell you that would be my least favorite ride, lol! Not a fan, hahaha!
Hi Kathy! Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope Proven Love touches your heart. I love the shows at theme parks, too. They are more my speed than the rides. 🙂
My favorite ride is the ferris wheel
Yes, Linda!! I just adore the ferris wheel! Seeing everything from way up high….so peaceful up there too! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Linda! Thanks so much for sharing your favorite ride. I am afraid of heights, but my daughter loves the ferris wheel so she sings to me whenever we ride together. It helps calm my fears. 🙂
I love the Carousels and the teacup rides.
Ah, yes, they are so fun as well, Sonnetta! Thank you for dropping by to visit with us today!
Hi Sonnetta! Thanks so much for sharing. I love the teacup rides. They are close to the ground and I don’t mind the spinning. Great for someone who has a terrible fear of heights!
Oh my goodness, Paula…thank you so much for the lovely, heartfelt review of Proven Love. I am honored that you found such substance in the story. Yes, life can be difficult, but I am happy to know my story brings encouragement. Thank you for sharing, and for hosting me today!
Thank you, Mary, for such an incredible book! I feel blessed for having read it!
The carousel for me!
Yay, Carol! Me too!!
Hi Carol! Thanks so much for stopping by. I have to say I am not a roller coaster sort of girl either, and riding one for research was really out of my comfort zone. I am afraid of heights! But it was worth it. Next time, it’s the carousel for me. 🙂
The carousel is what I prefer.
It is definitely a tie for me between the carousel and the ferris wheel!
Hi Patricia! It is so nice to ‘meet’ you. Yes, I prefer the carousel over a roller coaster, and definitely over the ferris wheel. Yikes! 🙂
Paula I have said before how similar our taste in books has been. This one is no different. I just finished Proven Love this morning & got my review done. This book does feel real – the characters and all the different problems. They are all very real problems that face many today. Sadly some like alcohol & emotional abuse can definitely be multi-generational problems.
This was my first book by Mary Manners. I was super impressed because I’m one of those that find myself wanting to read book (especially Christian books) that deal with real issues. I want the messy. I want to see the struggles. Not because I’m a sadist, but because that’s real life. Don’t get me wrong – I do like to read the books where everything is sunshine & roses. Just not all the time. I think Proven Love was a great introduction to Mary Manners and I, for one, will be reading more of her work!
Oh, wow, Erica, it’s like you took the words right out of my mouth, yes we have such similar tastes in books! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Hi Erica! Thanks so much for your uplifting comment and for taking the time to review Proven Love. I am so glad you enjoyed the story. I, too, like real-life sort of books that are kind of messy and tangled. I hope you will try some more of my stories, and pray they touch your heart!
Proven Love sounds like a great book that I’ve already put on my list of books that I want to read. As far as rides go, I always loved the tilt-a-whirl at the county fair. I remember a roller coaster at Disney that I liked but don’t remember the name of it. Nowadays, I’d probably go more for the Ferris Wheel.
Hi Sherri! Thanks so much for your kind words about Proven Love. I appreciate you! As for rides, I also like the tilt-a-whirl. I have lots of great memories riding it with my daughter. 😊
Hi, Sherri! The tilt a world is too much for me, lol, but hey, we can’t all like the same things, right? ❤️
Hi Mary, I love the storyline for this book! My favorite amusement park ride is the swings!
Hi Candace! Thanks for your kind words concerning the story line for Proven Love. It was both a joy and a challenge to write. As for rides, I have been on the swings here at Dollywood once, and that was enough for me! I have a terrible fear of heights, especially when my legs dangle. Yikes!
Oh, yes! I loved the swings too! Thanks for reminding me, Candace!
My favorite amusement park was the SLR 8 that Astroworld in Texas use to have. It didn’t do any crazy upside down moves and the pace was right up my alley. 🙂
Hi Christie! The ride you mentioned sounds like one I could try, if it was still in use. I have never been to Texas but would love to visit there. Maybe one day!
Unfortunately Astroworld closed down 13 yrs ago. 🙁
I have never been to Texas, so I can’t comment on the rides, lol! Love seeing you here, Christie! Thanks for sharing!❤️
I would like to read the book myself and not comment on someone else review.
My favorite ride at an amusement park is I DON’T GO TO AMUSEMENT PARKS ANYMORE due to my health. I loved the time my husband and I rode a double Farris wheel. It was something I had always thought looked so romantic in the movies, but ours were so funny!
I hope you get the chance to read it, Mary! I don’t do amusement parks any more either due to my health, but have fond memories of the ferris wheel too!
Paula, thank you for sharing your review! Mary, your book sounds wonderful…and this cover…mmm…it’s gorgeous <3
The more extreme rides are all mine lol
You go girl! Lol, I have never been a fan of the extreme rides, Natalya….but my husband is, go figure! So glad to have you share with us!
Hi Natalya! Thanks so much for your kind words concerning Proven Love, and especially over the cover. I hope you enjoy your adventure with extreme rides!
Another book I’d never have found on my own!! Sounds like a good one, too!!! I’ll have to put it on my wish list!
Thank you, Trudy! I love bringing new books to readers!! You will not be disappointed!❤️
Hi Trudy! Thanks for visiting and for your kind words concerning Proven Love. I hope the story touches your heart!
Mine is an oldie but goodie…my favorite amusement park “ride” – technically you sit in it and it moves, so it counts (LOL) – is the Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom in Disney World. A close second would be Soarin’ in Epcot, despite the fact that I am afraid of heights. 😂😊
Those are lovely rides, lol, I don’t like heights either! Thank you for sharing, Crystal!
Hi Crystal! My favorite Disney ride is It’s a Small World. Just my speed! Thanks for joining in the fun here.